Historical outline

Bologna is the largest city (and the capital) of Emilia-Romagna Region in Italy. It is the seventh most populous city in Italy, located in the heart of a metropolitan area of about one million.

The first settlements date back to at least 1000 BC. The city has been an urban centre, first under the Etruscans (Velzna/Felsina) and the Celts (Bona), then under the Romans (Bononia), then again in the Middle Ages, as a free municipality (for one century it was the fifth largest European city based on population).

Home to the oldest university in the world, University of Bologna, founded in 1088, Bologna hosts thousands of students who enrich the social and cultural life of the city. Famous for its towers and lengthy porticoes, Bologna has a well-preserved historical centre (one of the largest in Italy) thanks to a careful restoration and conservation policy which began at the end of the 1970s, on the heels of serious damage done by the urban demolition at the end of the 19th century as well as that caused by wars.

An important cultural and artistic centre, its importance in terms of landmarks can be attributed to homogenous mixture of monuments and architectural examples (medieval towers, antique buildings, churches, the layout of its historical centre) as well as works of art which are the result of a first class architectural and artistic history. Bologna is also an important transportation crossroad for the roads and trains of Northern Italy, where many important mechanical, electronic and nutritional industries have their headquarters. According to the most recent data gathered by the European Regional Economic Growth Index (E-REGI) of 2009, Bologna is the first Italian city and the 47th European city in terms of its economic growth rate.

Bologna is home to prestigious cultural, economic and political institutions as well as one of the most impressive trade fair districts in Europe. In 2000 it was declared European capital of culture and in 2006, a UNESCO “city of music”. The city of Bologna was selected to participate in the Universal Exposition of Shanghai 2010 together with 45 other cities from around the world. Bologna is also one of the wealthiest cities in Italy, often ranking as one of the top cities in terms of quality of life in the country: in 2011 it ranked 1st out of 107 Italian cities.

Discover Bologna!

Among the most creative European cities, Bologna will captivate you by offering emotions and genuineness.

During your stay, take the time to visit and discover the city, wandering and 'getting lost' through arcades, squares and market stalls, where human relationships and urban charm are inseparable. Starting from Piazza Maggiore, enclosed by the beautiful ancient palaces of Accursio, Re Enzo, Podestà and Notai and by the majesty of Basilica di San Petronio, you will then continue your visit discovering the many towers in Bologna, and not only the “two sisters” Garisenda and Asinelli. From the top of the Asinelli tower you can admire the red roofs and the hills around the city. Once back on the ground, you will be embraced by kilometers of arcades, the longest in the world, animated by the voices of many Italian and foreign students who attend the oldest university in Europe. When visiting the museums you will appreciate all the history of Bologna from the Etruscan and Roman origins to its modern and contemporary artists'paintings and writings.

Don’t leave Bologna if you haven’t tasted the famous and unbeatable traditional dishes as well as its cooking proposals open to the new tastes coming from different cultures. Last “but not least”, be enchanted by the magic of Bologna night life and events made of all kind of music, cinema, theater...